Review: Saving Mitch (The MacDonald Brothers #1) by Emily Matthews

Title: Saving Mitch

Series: The MacDonald Brothers #1

Author: Emily Matthews

Genre: Adult, romantic suspense

Publication date: January 2020

Published by: Emily Matthews

Source: Amazon freebie

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Synopsis: A hot-headed cop. A beautiful witness. And a bad guy after them both.

Officer Mitch MacDonald’s life is irrevocably changed when his partner is killed in the line of duty. His obsessive search for the culprit is about to cost him his job. When clumsy veterinarian Maggie Tucker witnesses a crime that could help Mitch catch the suspect, he must set aside his growing attraction to her to find the killer and keep them both safe.

When Maggie meets Mitch, sparks fly, but not in a good way. He witnesses her most embarrassing moment and then writes her a ticket! She immediately dislikes him, but once they are forced to spend time together, she begrudgingly finds herself falling for his sexy, bad-boy ways.

When the killer catches up with them, and Maggie is in danger, Mitch will do anything to save her. But when all is said and done, he’s left wondering who saved who.

My rating: ★★☆☆☆

Oh my god, this book...

I have always said that I’m not much of a romance reader, but as the years go by, I’m starting to realize that I like romance more than I thought I did. Do I read a copious amount of them? No. I read a handful a year, plus most of the books I read have romance in them. So I’m starting to figure out what I like and what I don’t like. And let me tell you, what this book had to offer, I did NOT like.

Review: Beautiful Demons (The Shadow Demons Saga #1) by Sarra Cannon

Title: Beautiful Demons

Series: The Shadow Demons Saga #1

Author: Sarra Cannon

Genre: YA, urban fantasy

Publication date: October 2010

Published by: Dead River Books

Source: Amazon freebie

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Synopsis: Harper Madison isn't like other girls. She has extraordinary powers, but her inability to control them has gotten her kicked from so many foster homes she's lost count. Shadowford Home for Girls is her last chance, and she hopes Peachville High will be the fresh start she needs.

At first, life appears to be looking up for Harper. She's making new friends and is strangely drawn to the guy next door. But when evidence ties her to the gruesome murder of a Demons cheerleader, Harper discovers this small town has a big secret.

My rating: ★★☆☆☆

This book was, uh, something. I liked the premise, I’ll give it that. I love protagonists with cool powers and mysteries... all that stuff is interesting. But this book? Yikes. I mean it started off okay, and quite intriguing. One of the cheerleaders at Harper’s new school was murdered and someone is framing Harper for it.

Review: Raiders of the Lost Heart by Jo Segura

Title: Raiders of the Lost Heart

Author: Jo Segura

Genre: Adult, contemporary romance

Publication date: December 2023

Published by: Berkley

Source: Borrwed from library (thank god!)

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Buy it (but don't actually 🙃): Amazon | B&N | Book Outlet | Thrift Books

Synopsis: Rival archaeologists must team up on a secret Aztec expedition, or it could leave their careers—and hearts—in ruins.

Archaeologist Dr. Socorro “Corrie” Mejía has a bone to pick. Literally.

It’s been Corrie’s life goal to lead an expedition deep into the Mexican jungle in search of the long-lost remains of her ancestor, Chimalli, an ancient warrior of the Aztec empire. But when she is invited to join an all-expenses-paid dig to do just that, Corrie is sure it’s too good to be true...and she’s right.

As the world-renowned expert on Chimalli, by rights Corrie should be leading the expedition, not sharing the glory with her disgustingly handsome nemesis. But Dr. Ford Matthews has been finding new ways to best her since they were in grad school. Ford certainly isn’t thrilled either—with his life in shambles, the last thing he needs is a reminder of their rocky past.

But as the dig begins, it becomes clear they’ll need to work together when they realize a thief is lurking around their campsite, forcing the pair to keep their discoveries—and lingering attraction—under wraps. With money-hungry artifact smugglers, the Mexican authorities, and the lies between them closing in, there’s only one way this all ends—explosively.

My rating: ★★☆☆☆

Whoever keeps comparing this book to the movie The Mummy, please stop slandering that beloved movie in that way because this was nothing like that! 😭

Review: Survive the Night by Riley Sager

Title: Survive the Night

Author: Riley Sager

Genre: Adult, mystery thriller

Publication date: June 2021

Published by: Dutton

Source: Borrowed from library

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Synopsis: Charlie Jordan is being driven across the country by a serial killer. Maybe.

Behind the wheel is Josh Baxter, a stranger Charlie met by the college ride share board, who also has a good reason for leaving university in the middle of term. On the road they share their stories, carefully avoiding the subject dominating the news - the Campus Killer, who's tied up and stabbed three students in the span of a year, has just struck again.

Travelling the lengthy journey between university and their final destination, Charlie begins to notice discrepancies in Josh's story.

As she begins to plan her escape from the man she is becoming certain is the killer, she starts to suspect that Josh knows exactly what she's thinking.

Meaning that she could very well end up as his next victim.

My rating: ★★☆☆☆

I've enjoyed all of Riley Sager's books to one degree or another... until this book. It was just dumb and frustrating—I was honestly surprised at how little I liked this book. The main character, Charlie, just kept making one bad decision after another and I could not get over how dumb she was being!

Review: More Than Jamie Baker (Jamie Baker #2) by Kelly Oram

Title: More Than Jamie Baker

Series: Jamie Baker #2

Previous books in this series: Being Jamie Baker (#1) | Kissing Jamie Baker (#1.5)

Author: Kelly Oram

Genre: YA, paranormal romance

Publication date: October 2013

Published by: Bluefields

Source: Purchased ebook

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Synopsis: Jamie Baker, the only girl in the world with superpowers, has now accepted who she is and learned to control her power. Not to mention she has the best boyfriend on the planet. Life is finally looking good. But the day she witnesses an accident and decides not to save the guy out of fear of being exposed, she realizes that simply being Jamie Baker isn't enough.

After seeing Jamie so wrecked with guilt, the ever-helpful Ryan Miller decides it's time to make all of his fantasies about turning his girlfriend into an honest-to-goodness superhero become a reality.

Of course, coming up with a decent Super Name and fending off all of Ryan's attempts to get her into spandex aren't the only problems Jamie faces. The more her alter ego starts to make headlines, the harder it becomes for Jamie to hide her extracurricular activities from her best friend, the government, radical scientists, and the mysterious new guy who is determined to steal her from her boyfriend.

My rating: ★★☆☆☆

Being Jamie Baker was one of my favorite books of 2021. Meanwhile, More Than Jamie Baker was one of my least favorites of the same year 👀 Yeah, that’s how little I liked the sequel. It was just frustrating!

Review- Fear Hall: The Conclusion (Fear Street: Fear Hall #2) by R.L. Stine

Title: Fear Hall: The Conclusion

Series: Fear Street: Fear Hall #2 | Fear Street #47

Previous book in this series: Fear Hall: The Beginning

Author: R.L. Stine

Genre: YA, mystery thriller, horror

Publication date: August 1997

Published by: Archway Paperback

Source: Purchased paperback

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Synopsis: Having fled her dorm room, college freshman Hope hides out in an abandoned sorority house on campus where she discovers that the evil she is trying to escape has become a part of her.

My rating: ★★☆☆☆

So, in the last book we found out that Hope had DID, or a split personality disorder. In this book we see when/why she developed these other personalities, aka her supposed roommates. Her mother was just so terrible to her! It was awful! And we also find out when Darryl, her other personality, appeared.

Review: The Girlfriend by R.L. Stine

Title: The Girlfriend

Series: Point Horror

Author: R.L. Stine

Genre: YA, mystery thriller, horror

Publication date: December 1991

Published by: Scholastic

Source: Purchased paperback

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Synopsis: She's bad. So bad...

Scotty has the perfect life. And the perfect girlfriend. But one weekend while she's away, Scotty goes just a little... astray.

Suddenly he has a new girlfriend. One who won't go away. His one wild night has become a nightmare.

Because his new girlfriend has decided that she loves Scotty... to death.

My rating: ★★☆☆☆

This book started off surprisingly slow. Thirty pages in and nothing was happening. Just Scotty and Lora being perfect or whatever.

Review: The Dead Girlfriend by R.L. Stine

Title: The Dead Girlfriend

Series: Point Horror

Author: R.L. Stine

Genre: YA, mystery thriller, horror

Publication date: August 1993

Published by: Scholastic

Source: Purchased paperback

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Synopsis: Annie just met Jonathan. She doesn't know about his last girlfriend.

Doesn't know how beautiful she was. Doesn't know how popular.

Doesn't know how she died.

But Annie is about to find out. Because Jonathan's old girlfriend might be dead.

But she isn't gone...

My rating: ★★☆☆☆

I don’t know why all the male characters in these types of books are always horrible, but they are. And Jonathan was a piece of work. Annie is one of those girls where the guy terrifies her, but she’s attracted to him at the same time, and it drives me nuts! If you’re scared of him, stay the hell away! Good grief! This guy’s mood swings were just... he ANGRY after someone slashed Annie’s tires. It was crazy! Dude, chill!

Review: Secret Admirer (Fear Street #36) by R.L. Stine

Title: Secret Admirer

Series: Fear Street #36 (Can be read as a standalone)

Author: R.L. Stine

Genre: YA, mystery thriller, horror

Publication date: March 1996

Published by: Archway Paperback

Source: Purchassed paperback

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Synopsis: Selena is on top of the world. Her acting career at Shadyside High is blossoming—everyone admires her. So when she starts receiving bouquets of dead flowers from a person called “The Sun,” she treats them as a joke.

But Selena soon realizes that this is no laughing matter. Her understudy is injured in a suspicious accident. Then a speeding car nearly kills her. Selena knows “The Sun” is responsible.

And that her number-one fan has become her number-one nightmare.

My rating: ★★☆☆☆

This book was just odd. So we have Selena who is an actress in school plays. But here’s the weird part: apparently she is so good that she’s freaking famous in Shadyside 😂 I’m sorry, but that made me laugh. I mean, why do people care about this high school girl who does plays good? It’s so dumb 🤣 And at some point Selena totally agreed. Lol. Anyway, this girl has a stalker.

Review: The Perfect Date (Fear Street #37) by R.L. Stine

Title: The Perfect Date

Series: Fear Street #37 (Can be read as a standalone)

Author: R.L. Stine

Genre: YA, horror, mystery thriller

Publication date: April 1996

Published by: Archway Paperback

Source: Own paperback

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Synopsis: Perfect... perfectly evil.

Brady Karlin is getting on with his life. The memory of his girlfriend—killed in a gruesome sledding accident last year—is beginning to fade. Now he's met Rosha Nelson, the girl of his dreams. And he's never been happier.

Until Brady starts to see a strange figure -- with a terribly scarred face—following him everywhere. Until the horrible accidents start happening—every time Rosha's around.

Has dating Rosha made Brady's dreams come true? Or brought his worst nightmares back to life?

My rating: ★★☆☆☆

This book was... interesting. And kind of insane. Lol. So Brady starts dating this girl, Rosha, and soon after “accidents” start happening. Is she incredibly clumsy or is she trying to kill Brady? 👀

Review: The Dare (Fear Street #21) by R.L. Stine

Title: The Dare

Series: Fear Street #21 (Can be read as a standalone)

Author: R.L. Stine

Genre: YA, horror, mystery thriller

Publication date: February 1994

Published by: Archway Paperback

Source: Own paperback

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Synopsis: Nice girls don’t kill...

Johanna Wise has always longed to be part of Dennis Arthur’s rich, popular crowd, and she can’t believe it when he finally asks her out. Now she’ll do anything to continue to hang out with his cool friends and keep Dennis as her boyfriend.

So when Dennis dares her to kill their teacher, Mr. Northwood, she doesn’t say no. She can’t. Besides, it was only a joke, right? But now the joke has gone too far, and the whole school is taking bets on Johanna. The dare is serious…dead serious. Will she do it? Will she really kill for love?

My rating: ★★☆☆☆

If I had to use one word to describe this book it would be this: dumb. The premise was dumb, the characters were dumb, it was just... dumb. These pranks and dares the cool kids pulled are not funny at all. I really did not understand why Johanna was so adamant about hanging out with them. And then Dennis, one of the cool kids Johanna has a crush on, he was an entitled prick and I did not like him! She doesn’t tell her close friend Margaret about any of this because she isn’t part of the group and wouldn't understand about the dares and whatever 🙄 Well, I guess that's why I don't understand either 😆 And the lengths Johanna would go through to accomplish these dares to get in with these idiots, it was unbelievable. She was awful! The fact that she actually considers killing the teacher is insane! I’m sorry, but she was just not a sympathetic character AT ALL.

Review: Nothing But Blackened Teeth by Cassandra Khaw

Title: Nothing But Blackened Teeth

Author: Cassandra Khaw

Genre: Adult, horror

Publication date: October 2021

Published by: Tor Nightfire

Source: eARC from publishers via Netgalley

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Synopsis: A Heian-era mansion stands abandoned, its foundations resting on the bones of a bride and its walls packed with the remains of the girls sacrificed to keep her company.

It’s the perfect wedding venue for a group of thrill-seeking friends.

But a night of food, drinks, and games quickly spirals into a nightmare. For lurking in the shadows is the ghost bride with a black smile and a hungry heart.

And she gets lonely down there in the dirt.

My rating: ★★☆☆☆

I was really looking forward to this novella cause I’m such a huge horror fan! Books, movies... you name it! Give it ALL to me! Lol. Unfortunately, this was kind of a letdown. You look at the beautifully creepy cover and you think you’re gonna get all the scares, but nope! That was not the case.

Review: I Saw You That Night! (Point Horror) by R.L. Stine

Title: I Saw You That Night!

Series: Point Horror

Author: R.L. Stine

Genre: YA, horror, mystery thriller

Publication date: July 1994

Published by: Scholastic

Source: Purchased paperback

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Synopsis: Sand. Surf. Sun. Roxie lives for the summer. But this summer things aren't going the way Roxie planned.

It all started when she broke into Lee Blume's house just to win a stupid bet. Because while she was in Lee's house, Roxie saw something she shouldn't have seen. Heard something she shouldn't have heard.

And now someone's looking for Roxie.

Someone who wants her... dead.

My rating: ★★☆☆☆

This book was a mess. First of all, that bet... It was NOT a fun bet! Especially not when the bet is over dating a guy! And doubly NOT when the girl already has a freaking boyfriend! And yet she’s over here thinking about another guy.

Review: The Cheater (Fear Street #18) by R.L. Stine

Title: The Cheater

Series: Fear Street #18

Author: R.L. Stine

Genre: YA, horror, mystery thriller

Publication date: April 1993

Published by: Archway Paperback

Source: Purchased paperback

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Synopsis: Carter Phillips is under a lot of pressure to ace her math achievement exam - so much pressure that she gets Adam Messner to take the test for her... in exchange for one date. But Adam wants more than a date - much more. Carter has no choice. She has to do whatever he asks. If not, he'll tell hers secret and ruin life.

Adam's control over her gets more and more unbearable. Carter is desperate to get rid of him - but how? Is murder the only way?

My rating: ★★☆☆☆

So our main character, Carter, took a placement test, got a good test results back, but not good enough for her dad, apparently 🙄 So now she’s gonna take it again to get a better grade... Except she’s not. A guy from school takes the test for her because IDs apparently aren’t a thing at this test taking site??? WTF. Anyway, all she has to do is go on one date with him... and then another... and then he wants more. Honestly, I don't know how she didn’t see this coming. She’s an idiot. She also has a boyfriend, so she’s a cheater in two different senses of the word. Lol.

Review: The Boyfriend (Point Horror) by R.L. Stine

Title: The Boyfriend

Series: Point Horror

Author: R.L. Stine

Genre: YA, horror, mystery thriller

Publication date: October 1990

Published by: Scholastic

Source: Purchased paperback

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Synopsis: Sometimes, love is murder.

Too bad about Dex. He was in love with Joanna. She broke up with him. And then he died.

Joanna's sorry, of course. But it's not her fault he's dead, is it? Besides, she never loved him. Boys are just toys, to be used and thrown away.

But this time, Joanna's gone too far. Because Dex is back. From the dead. For one last date with her...

My rating: ★★☆☆☆

This book was... well, it was predictable, for one. It also had a very unlikable main character, which I think was the point. Unfortunately, she wasn’t as fun as Reva Dalby from Silent Night.

Review: First Date (Fear Street #16) by R.L. Stine

Title: First Date

Series: Fear Street #16

Author: R.L. Stine

Genre: YA, horror, mystery thriller

Publication date: May 1992

Published by: Archway Paperback

Source: Purchased paperback

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Synopsis: Dying for a Date...

Chelsea Richards is shy, lonely, and looking for love. She would give anything to finally go on a date. Soon there are two new boys in town, and both ask her out.

Too bad one of them is a crazed killer. Poor Chelsea. Will her first date also be her last?

My rating: ★★☆☆☆

This book was... interesting. So we have this girl who is relatively new in Shadyside and she has just gained the attention of two guys who just arrived in town as well. One of these guys is a psychopath with mommy issues. Unfortunately, Chelsea doesn’t know which one. And let me just say, if at any point you’re unsure about a guy and weather he has psychopathic tendencies, you run the other goddamn way! I'm not a fan of the trope where the girl is attracted to a bad boy but is also simultaneously scared of him. Like, what is up with that? If I am scared of a guy I am NOT going to stick around to find out whether he’s a killer or if he is just misunderstood but also a terrible person. And this is what Chelsea was like with one of the guys, Sparks. At first, Sparks was just a tough looking going, but soon we realize there’s more to him. At one point the guy doesn’t take no for an answer and I was like NOPE. Girl, you don’t need a guy like that in your life. As for the other guy Will, he was more shy and mysterious and Chelsea really liked him.

Review: Be Not Afraid by Cecilia Galante

Title: Be Not Afraid

Author: Cecilia Galante

Genre: YA, horror

Publication date: April 2015

Published by: Random House Books for Young Readers

Source: Purchased hardcover

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Synopsis: Marin spends a lot of time avoiding things. She avoids thinking about her mother's suicide and what she could have done to prevent it. She avoids looking at people directly-because she can see their pain as bright, colorful shapes. And she avoids Cassie Jackson, who used her in a sinister ritual months ago, although Marin's not exactly sure why.

When Cassie stands up at school, screaming, raking her nails down her cheeks, and pointing a finger at Marin, whispering "YOU," Marin's days of avoidance come to an abrupt end. Cassie's older brother believes that Marin holds the secret to Cassie's illness. So they team up to solve the mystery of what Cassie has unleashed. But as they look deeper into the darkness and things begin to go bump in the night, can Marin trust what she sees?

My rating: ★★☆☆☆

This book sounded very intriguing to me. There’s some sketchy past between Cassie and Marin—Cassie did something and now something bad is happening to her. Cassie’s brother Dominic asks Marin for her help because she’s the one who knows about whatever thing it was that Cassie did. Marin very reluctantly helps. VERY reluctantly. Marin also has a very cool ability where she can see pain.

Review: Hit and Run (Point Horror #26) by R.L. Stine

Title: Hit and Run

Series: Point Horror #26

Author: R.L. Stine

Genre: YA, horror, mystery thriller

Publication date: June 1992

Published by: Scholastic

Source: Purchased paperback

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Synopsis: Eddie, Scott, Winks, and Cassie. They went out for a drive one night. Just to practice, so Eddie would be sure and get his license.

Then Eddie had a little accident. Now four friends share a terrible secret.

Because Eddie hit someone and killed him.

Didn't he?

My rating: ★★☆☆☆
So four teenagers without their license go out to practice their driving so that they can pass their driving test... Please tell me how that makes sense 😑 Lol. And it all goes about as well as you can imagine... they kill someone. Lol. Kidding 😅 But they do kill someone 😬 After the accident, they start receiving creepy notes and one of them even gets hit with a car, and omg could it be the guy they killed?? 😲

Review: Halloween Night II (Halloween Night #2) by R.L. Stine

Title: Halloween Night II

Series: Halloween Night #2

Previous book in this series: Halloween Night

Author: R.L. Stine

Genre: YA, horror, mystery thriller

Publication date: September 1994

Published by: Scholastic

Source: Purchased paperback

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Synopsis:

The chilling sequel to Stine's bestselling Halloween Night. This time Brenda's being terrorized by someone who's determined to make this Halloween night her last. Complete with the author's trademark page-turnging suspense, taut plot, and surprise ending.

My rating: ★★☆☆☆
It’s been a year since the awful Halloween party in which Brenda’s own friend stabbed her. This Halloween, Brenda is getting threatening messages again. Could it be her cousin Halley who is still living with her family? Or maybe one of her own friends... again?

Review: The Thrill Club (Fear Street #24) by R.L. Stine

Title: The Thrill Club

Series: Fear Street #24

Author: R.L. Stine

Genre: YA, horror, mystery thriller

Publication date: May 1994

Published by: Archway Paperback

Source: Purchased paperback

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Synopsis:

Talia Blanton could scare you to death.

She writes horror stories—stories that often give her friends starring roles.

Everyone loves Talia’s terrifying tales—until they start to come true. One by one, Talia’s friends become Talia’s victims.

Is Talia making her stories come true? Or is someone trying to turn Talia’s real life into a horror story?

My rating: ★★☆☆☆

They're dying to join.

I liked the idea of stories becoming reality and the characters dying the way they did in said stories. Unfortunately, that’s pretty much all I liked about this book. It’s even more unfortunate because this is one of the first Fear Street books I ever read... EVER! This was probably the first or second Fear Street book I read back when I was in middle school, so I had high hopes for it. Things did not go well (for me).